8 research outputs found
Toxicity of Anticancer Drug Residues in Organisms of the Freshwater Aquatic Chain
Antineoplastic drug residues released in the aquatic system represent a
potential risk to exposed non-target organisms. Antineoplastic drugs are present in
aquatic environments at lower concentration levels than in other therapeutic classes.
In particular, antineoplastic drugs are known for their continuous release and
subsequent exposure throughout the life span of aquatic organisms and will yield
long-term toxicity rather than pose an immediate threat to the environment and
human health. Furthermore, these drugs interfere directly or indirectly with DNA
and their eco-toxicological effects, such as reproductive inhibition, may modify
genetic material. In light of these observations, this chapter aims to investigate the
acute and chronic effects of the most commonly used anticancer drugs in organisms
of the freshwater trophic chain. The drugs investigated belong to the subgroup L01
of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System and have been
chosen considering their occurrence, chemical structures, and modes of action